2012 MLB Trade Rumors: Teams Inquiring on Cubs Alfonso Soriano

After trading Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins, the Chicago Cubs could look to move another overpaid veteran before the spring.  Epstein has said that he is willing to listen to trade offers that make the Cubs better going forward, and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports hears Chicago has received a couple of calls on the one and only, Alfonso Soriano.  Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reported yesterday that the Cubs have spoken with eight clubs this offseason regarding Soriano.

Last season for the Cubs, Soriano hit .244/.289/.469 with 26 home runs, 27 doubles and 88 RBI’s.  It’s not an awful stat line, but when you consider Soriano is nearly 36 and is owed $18 million per year over the next three seasons, it’s easy to see why teams would be hesitant to bring in the seven-time All-Star.

Couple his age and hefty contract with the fact that he really doesn’t have a position, and it’s hard to imagine many clubs expressing interest in Soriano.

If the Cubs were willing to eat salary to facilitate a trade, as they did with Zambrano, the only clubs that would be interested in Soriano would likely be found in the American League.  These teams would be able to use Soriano as their designated hitter and avoid putting his questionable glove on the field.

Rosenthal says that the Cubs have received a “couple of inquiries on Soriano”, but have yet to find a match.  For the time being, Rosenthal points out that there are several other right-handed bats on the market including Vladimir Guerrero, Ryan Ludwick, Magglio Ordonez and Cody Ross.

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